GreenSox

I don't know about that if he views the long term offers as modest. (of course, I don't know what the Sox offer actually is; but if it is 7/$210, I would view that as modest). And I am of the belief that the Sox need to beat the competition by 20% or so to secure his services. Actually if he doesn't sign with the Sox, I hope he takes a short term deal. We don't really need him this year, and the Sox major league club may be more presentable a year from now and thus not require a 20% bonus or so many FOMs.

And what is that point. The Sox can stick with its 7/210 offer (or whatever it is), wait there until someone tops it, Manny remains dissatisfied and won't sign, then, whoosh, a contender offers him 1/$40 or 2/$75. What's the Sox next move?

Amen

But they don't have the pitching; and they are light on O unless Anderson and Moncada improve; which they may or may not. The Sox have at least 3 top CF prospects...just not the position to go for a FA. Jay and Alonso just aren't top shelf talents...by a long shot. Sox need another year to sort things out.

Well, the same source (Nightengale) who says the Sox are "expected" to sign him also said 3 days ago that the Sox offered him a contract of "about $200 million" Maybe they increased, will increase.....

It would be nice to know what the offer is. If it's 7/low 200s (which is what I believe the more respected sources have said), the Sox may lead, but I doubt he'd sign for that anytime soon.

Well, that would be something new and different.....

Don't laugh too hard - the Sox may have to put Machado at SS.

I don't mean to be flip, but isn't this about offering the most $$$?

Of all the teams, the Sox should be able to wait the longest. Nothing else to do, really.,,,,or hopefully.

That's a lot of pitchers for 4 spots. But most have options, fortunately. Frare Bummer Hamilton Covey or Stephens (one is 5th starter)

While I don't disagree with you in principle, I hardly think that the results of trades over the last 6 years put the Sox at risk of negotiating in bad faith with other teams.

The point is they've been willing to give up young talent in trades (and not just stunted prospects) for 2nd tier vets. I'm not pointing fingers - heck Fliers helped the Astros for a year or 2. But they have the prospect depth to trade from and are willing to trade it which a)is why it makes sense to trade with them and b)I hope the Sox can keep a pipeline flowing like they have.

Domingo Santana, Josh Hader, Adrian Houser and Brett Phillips for Mike Fiers and Carlos Gomez.

It's called declining vets, such as 33 year old with .678 OPS. At least that one wasn't traded for. Or paying career year price. Still, it is a lot better signing them, declining or otherwise, than trading young players for them. Re the pitchers, that's Gio ...he'd be okay but that price is high.

Astros also made some questionable trades (which is a reason why I want the Sox to trade with them). The Aiken mistake gave the Astros Bregman. They've had their misses, but a long list of successes and great development to more than compensate.

I like them as a possibility too. Maybe Texas.

In that list, I would go Miley or Pomeranz. Keuchal perhaps at 25% off of that price." I would buy puts on Marwin Gonzalez, if such things were available. And Holland

Mystery team: Angels

It looks to me Dan Clark got his info from a player - maybe Schoop. A professional reporter would know that information from a player's friend is not credible to be reported as fact. Clark is an amateur blogger who somehow scored a Twitter blue-check (even Levine, who is a professional reporter, such as he is, and with 250% more followers, doesn't have a blue check). My problem is that he got real obnoxious about it even when he was proven wrong (which was about a week ago when "early January" passed).

I mentioned that I thought was fair - Abreu and a 2nd tier prospect. Andujar was not an elite prospect (50ish); he had a good year - kind of Palka with an extra 30 OBP points. He played his position poorly. The Sox would take the risk that he can never play 3B. If the Sox sign Machado, which one would think is no worse than 50/50 at this point, and if he stays at 3B, then it's moot.

I wouldn't call Robert and Dunning a fair price. Like I said, I'd pay a fair price if the Sox still need a 3B. Or another young 3B top 3B prospect. Beats signing moustakas. Regarding 126 OPS+, the Sox just let a 120+ catcher go for 2 years of relief pitcher; He too is defensively challenged

He was a 30+ year old veteran who never could hit. Nothing like trading for a young promising player.

Okay - whatever. Sox have the prospect depth to pay a fair price for him.

I'd love to get Andujar. Trade one of our OF prospects for him. Trade a second tier prospect and Abreu for him (Yanks could use a better 1B). He seems reasonably athletic and should field the position okay in time; and if he can't, he can still hit.